Click on a question to read the answer below.

• When do you meet?
  
• Where do you meet?
  
• What does my son wear?
• What are the different Cub Scout Ranks?
  
• Do I have to remain at each meeting with my son?
  
• What does it cost?
  
• Are parents expected to help lead den meetings?
  
• What is the difference between a Pack Meeting and a Den Meeting?
  
• Do we camp?
  
• Are there other trips & outings?
  
• What volunteer opportunities are there for parents?
  
• Does the Pack have a website?
  
• How do we get information about Pack events?
  
• What are the other special events each year?
  
• Are there summer camp opportunities?
  
• How much training have Pack 118 leaders received?
  
• Who are the Leaders?
  
• How are Pack activities determined and plans made?
  
• Is Pack 118 open to Families of all Religious Faiths?
  

When do you meet?
We generally meet the first 3 Tuesdays of each month from September through May. Meetings begin at 6:30PM and conclude by 8:00PM (although the Tiger Cubs/First graders may dismiss earlier). Please be on time!

Where do you meet?
We meet at St. Stephen United Methodist Church located at 6800 Sardis Road. Our Scout Room is in the rear of the church located in the building just across from the gym. For September, we begin in the Fireside Room on the right end front of the church.

Please do not drop boys off at the front of the church after September as those doors will be locked. All Cubs should enter through the rear of the church near the Scout Room and by the Youth Ministry Center (you will be given a facility tour on the first night).

What does my son wear?
Pack 118 requires a Cub Scout uniform with all pieces except the pants (jeans, khakis, and shorts are acceptable). Uniforms are available at The Scout Shop located at 1410 East 7th Street (704-333-5471) OR The Carolina Scout Shop located at 2121 Westinghouse Blvd. (704-583-2127) Please call ahead for business hours. Unless otherwise noted, boys should wear these uniforms to Tuesday night meetings. These uniforms are called CLASS A’s.

Pack 118 issues a Pack t-shirt with out logo for each boy. These shirts are referred to as CLASS B’s.

What are the different Cub Scout Ranks?

• Popcorn Sale---Each Fall the Pack participates in the local Scouting Council’s Fundraiser with Trail’s End Popcorn. Boys have the opportunity to sell popcorn door-to-door with an adult; sell at local business; and at other preset locations. Boys are compensated with prizes. The 27% of the profit goes directly into our treasury to fund Pack 118 activities.
  
• Friends of Scouting---Each Spring families can contribute or pledge to contribute to the local council, Mecklenburg County Council, to help fund camp operations and pay the costs of operating Scouting in Mecklenburg.
  
  

Are parents expected to help lead den meetings?
Yes, every parent should be willing to volunteer some of his/her time to work with the trained den leader(s) to provide quality meetings. Den leaders generally set the schedule and remain open to new ideas.

What is the difference between a Pack Meeting and a Den Meeting?
Each Tuesday night meeting begins with the Pack together for general announcements and an opening flag ceremony. This generally lasts 10-15 minutes. From this point, the boys break into Den meetings with their respective ranks/grade level for activities, achievements, outings, etc.

A Pack meeting generally occurs on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. On odd numbered months (Sept., Nov., Jan., March, & May) it is a Formal Pack Meeting meaning we begin with a pizza dinner before the dens lead to Pack in Opening flag ceremonies, skits & songs. On even numbered months (Oct., Dec., Feb. April), the Pack Meeting is informal. We meet briefly for awards and announcement. Boys break apart into their dens on informal Pack meeting nights.

Do we camp?
Pack 118 has both a Spring and Fall Trip. The Spring trip is called “Spring Family Camping.” We typically visit either a beach or mountain campground. The Fall trip may be camping (although it is not always. We have been to Charleston, SC, Washington, D.C., etc.)

All camping trips will be in campgrounds with running water, electricity, hot showers. No primitive camping for Pack 118 Cub Scouts.

Are there other trips & outings?
Last year we began the tradition of a mid-year trip to a point of interest - Ripley’s Aquarium to “Sleep with the Sharks.” For January, 2010 we are going to camp overnight on the USS Yorktowne at Patriot’s Point in Charleston. This trip is generally an “incentive” trip toward which boys can use their popcorn sale credits to help cover the costs.

What volunteer opportunities are there for parents?
The Pack is totally volunteer led. We always need parents to become den leaders, serve as event coordinators, assist with registrations, help with Treasurer duties, and more. Each October there is a parent meeting after the informal Pack meeting to acclimate parents with the jobs of the current Pack year.

Does the Pack have a website?
Yes, (you're on it!!). Visit http://www.ststephenumc.net/pack118.html

How do we get information about Pack events?
Pack 118 uses an online system called Scouttrack. Every family will be given a login to help track your boy’s progress. The system also gives the Pack leaders the ability to send mass e-mails to the whole Pack, individual dens, and leaders only.

Generally there is a weekly e-mail. New families should be entered and receiving Pack 118 messages by mid-September. Make certain your internet service provider and Spam filters permit e-mail from something that resembles the following address: mailbot-u47647@scouttrack.com.

What are the other special events each year?